Tulane Holds Off Oklahoma in Championship Match

NEW ORLEANS – Tulane University, the host of the Allstate Sugar Bowl Collegiate Volleyball Classic, posted a solid 3-1 victory over Oklahoma on Saturday evening to capture its first title in the event since 2009. It was the 16th edition of the Sugar Bow-sponsored event. Sophomore libero Kaylie McHugh earned the tournament’s MVP award, as well as Defensive Player of the Tournament recognition.

The Green Wave defeated Southern Miss, 3-1, on Friday in the opening match of the tournament. Then in Saturday’s first match, the Wave rolled over Nicholls State, 3-0. Oklahoma also stopped Southern Miss and Nicholls to set up the true championship match of the round-robin event on Saturday evening.

“It was a great tournament for us,” Tulane head coach Jim Barnes said. “Obviously, Oklahoma is a great opponent, and it was a great championship atmosphere here with a nice crowd. The team really responded to it. It was great to see young players step up when it’s game time and really compete at a different level. That’s what you want to see when it’s the big match; you want players that pick their game, and everybody did tonight. It was a great team effort.”

The Green Wave improved to 8-2 overall with the victory. Oklahoma dropped to 3-6 on the season.

The Allstate Sugar Bowl has established itself as one of the premier college football bowl games, having hosted 27 national champions, 92 Hall of Fame players, 48 Hall of Fame coaches and 17 Heisman Trophy winners in its 83-year history.